Fundamentals of Parachuting Gear
At Skydive Orange, the thrill of skydiving is within reach for first-time jumpers. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect when you decide to take the leap.
Firstly, safety is paramount. The reserve canopy, the backup parachute, is meticulously inspected and repacked every 180 days by an FAA-certified parachute rigger. This ensures that the equipment is in top condition for every jump.
The skydiving equipment list includes essential items such as goggles, a jumpsuit, altimeter, and tandem harness. Goggles protect your eyes from wind and debris, ensuring crystal-clear visibility during the jump. The jumpsuit, designed for comfort and durability, protects you from cold or wind during freefall and from grass stains on landing. An altimeter tracks altitude using barometric pressure and is used by the instructor to determine when to pull the parachute and initiate turns for landing. The tandem harness secures the first-time skydiver to the instructor, ensuring safety and allowing the skydiver to focus on the jump without worrying about the mechanics of deploying and operating the parachute.
All equipment is included for a tandem jump at Skydive Orange, so no additional gear-related items are required from the first-time skydiver. However, it's important to wear appropriate skydive-friendly clothing (weather-appropriate, athletic wear that is easy to move in, and lace-up sneakers). A valid, government-issued photo ID and some form of payment (if necessary) are the only items needed, in addition to your skydive-friendly clothing.
The tandem skydiving rig includes a two-parachute system with a main parachute and a reserve parachute. Within every tandem skydiving rig lies an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) that automatically initiates the reserve opening sequence in certain conditions. Some tandem skydiving rigs also have a drogue, a mini parachute that slows the rate of descent during freefall. In emergency situations, the Reserve Static Line (RSL) helps to automatically deploy the reserve parachute.
For licensed skydivers, jumpsuits get a little more fancy with different designs to fit various flying styles and enhance overall performance.
Lastly, to skydive at Skydive Orange, an open mind, a smile, and guts are required, as the gear operation and functioning are handled by the instructors. Skydive Orange also has a fully-stocked gear store on site for customers to browse, try on, and price out equipment.
So, are you ready to take the leap? Remember, the gear is in good hands, and all you need to do is enjoy the ride. Happy skydiving!
